Skip to main content
Log in

Combination of Iron Overload Plus Ethanol and Ischemia Alone Give Rise to the Same Endogenous Free Iron Pool

  • Published:
Biometals Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Iron overload aggravates tissue damage caused by ischemia and ethanol intoxication. The underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon are not yet clear. To clarify these mechanisms we followed free iron (“loosely” bound redox-active iron) concentration in livers from rats subjected to experimental iron overload, acute ethanol intoxication, and ex vivo warm ischemia. The levels of free iron in non-homogenized liver tissues, liver homogenates, and hepatocyte cultures were analyzed by means of EPR spectroscopy. Ischemia gradually increased the levels of endogenous free iron in liver tissues and in liver homogenates. The increase was accompanied by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. Iron overload alone, known to increase significantly the total tissue iron, did not affect either free iron levels or lipid peroxidation. Homogenization of iron-loaded livers, however, resulted in the release of a significant portion of free iron from endogenous depositories. Acute ethanol intoxication increased free iron levels in liver tissue and diminished the portion of free iron releasing during homogenization. Similarly to liver tissue, the primary hepatocyte culture loaded with iron in vitro released significantly more free iron during homogenization compared to non iron-loaded hepatocyte culture. Analyzing three possible sources of free iron release under these experimental conditions in liver cells, namely ferritin, intracellular transferrin-receptor complex and heme oxygenase, we suggest that redox active free iron is released from ferritin under ischemic conditions whereas ethanol and homogenization facilitate the release of iron from endosomes containing transferrin-receptor complexes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • V Abalea J Cillard MP Dubos JP Anger P Cillard I Morel (1998) ArticleTitleIron-induced oxidative DNA damage and its repair in primary rat hepatocyte culture Carcinogenesis 19 IssueID6 1053–1059 Occurrence Handle9667744 Occurrence Handle10.1093/carcin/19.6.1053 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXktlOisr4%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • V Abalea J Cillard MP Dubos O Sergent P Cillard I Morel (1999) ArticleTitleRepair of iron-induced DNA oxidation by the flavonoid myricetin in primary rat hepatocyte cultures Free Radic Biol Med 26 IssueID11–12 1457–1466 Occurrence Handle10401609 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1MzivFymsA%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P Aisen C Enns M Wessling-Resnick (2001) ArticleTitleChemistry and biology of eukaryotic iron metabolism Int J Biochem Cell Biol 33 IssueID10 940–959 Occurrence Handle11470229 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S1357-2725(01)00063-2 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXlt1Sisbw%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E Albano A Tomasi L Goria-Gatti MU Dianzani (1988) ArticleTitleSpin trapping of free radical species produced during the microsomal metabolism of ethanol Chem Biol Interact 65 IssueID3 223–234 Occurrence Handle2837334 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXks1ylurY%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AS Arora GJ Gores (1996) ArticleTitleThe role of metals in ischemia/reperfusion injury of the liver Semin Liver Dis 16 IssueID1 31–38 Occurrence Handle8723321 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymA3c%2FmtFc%3D Occurrence Handle10.1055/s-2007-1007216

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A Ascherio EB Rimm E Giovannucci WC Willett MJ Stampfer (2001) ArticleTitleBlood donations and risk of coronary heart disease in men Circulation 103 IssueID1 52–57 Occurrence Handle11136685 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M%2FovVSjtQ%3D%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SD Aust LA Morehouse CE Thomas (1985) ArticleTitleRole of metals in oxygen radical reactions J Free Radic Biol Med 1 IssueID1 3–25 Occurrence Handle3013969 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXksFSjurc%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CF Babbs (1985) ArticleTitleRole of iron ions in the genesis of reperfusion injury following successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation: preliminary data and a biochemical hypothesis Ann Emerg Med 14 IssueID8 777–783 Occurrence Handle3896060 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiqB2sjkslU%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Y Bando K Aki (1990) ArticleTitleSuperoxide-mediated release of iron from ferritin by some flavoenzymes Biochem Biophys Res Commun 168 IssueID2 389–395 Occurrence Handle2159290 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0006-291X(90)92333-U Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXkt1SjtrY%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • RG Batey FP Lai Chung S Shamir S Sherlock (1980) ArticleTitleA non-transferrin-bound serum iron in idiopathic hemochromatosis Dig Dis Sci 25 IssueID5 340–346 Occurrence Handle7371472 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01308057 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXkt1ertbs%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P Brissot TL Wright WL Ma RA Weisiger (1985) ArticleTitleEfficient clearance of non-transferrin-bound iron by rat liver Implications for hepatic iron loading in iron overload states J Clin Invest 76 IssueID4 1463–1470 Occurrence Handle4056038 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2MXmtFalsL0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • PR Dragsten PE Hallaway GJ Hanson AE Berger B Bernard BE Hedlund (2000) ArticleTitleFirst human studies with a high-molecular-weight iron chelator J Lab Clin Med 135 IssueID1 57–65 Occurrence Handle10638695 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-2143(00)70021-7 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXktlSku7c%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S Epsztejn O Kakhlon H Glickstein W Breuer I Cabantchik (1997) ArticleTitleFluorescence analysis of the labile iron pool of mammalian cells Anal Biochem 248 IssueID1 31–40 Occurrence Handle9177722 Occurrence Handle10.1006/abio.1997.2126 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXjsVGgtLw%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • V Fellman KO Raivio (1997) ArticleTitleReperfusion injury as the mechanism of brain damage after perinatal asphyxia Pediatr Res 41 IssueID5 599–606 Occurrence Handle9128279 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiB2svhtlU%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M Ferrali L Ciccoli C Signorini M Comporti (1990) ArticleTitleIron release and erythrocyte damage in allyl alcohol intoxication in mice Biochem Pharmacol 40 IssueID7 1485–1490 Occurrence Handle2222504 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0006-2952(90)90444-P Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXmt1Kjsro%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M Ferrali C Signorini L Sugherini A Pompella M Lodovici B Caciotti L Ciccoli M Comporti (1997) ArticleTitleRelease of free, redox-active iron in the liver and DNA oxidative damage following phenylhydrazine intoxication Biochem Pharmacol 53 IssueID11 1743–1751 Occurrence Handle9264328 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-2952(97)82456-2 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXlt1Sns7o%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P Gong AI Cederbaum N Nieto (2003) ArticleTitleIncreased expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 induces heme oxygenase-1 through ERK MAPK pathway J Biol Chem 278 IssueID32 29693–29700 Occurrence Handle12777398 Occurrence Handle10.1074/jbc.M304728200 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlvFOns7o%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Guguen-Guillouzo B Clement G Baffet C Beaumont E Morel-Chany D Glaise A Guillouzo (1983) ArticleTitleMaintenance and reversibility of active albumin secretion by adult rat hepatocytes co-cultured with another liver epithelial cell type Exp Cell Res 143 IssueID1 47–54 Occurrence Handle6825722 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3sXht1emsbk%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C Hershko G Graham GW Bates EA Rachmilewitz (1978) ArticleTitleNon-specific serum iron in thalassaemia: an abnormal serum iron fraction of potential toxicity Br J Haematol 40 IssueID2 255–263 Occurrence Handle708645 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXmtFeisrg%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H Jaeschke C Kleinwaechter A Wendel (1992) ArticleTitleNADH-dependent reductive stress and ferritin-bound iron in allyl alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation in vivo: the protective effect of vitamin E Chem Biol Interact 81 IssueID1–2 57–68 Occurrence Handle1730148 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XhtVSktL0%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • I Kessova AI Cederbaum (2003) ArticleTitleCYP2E1: biochemistry, toxicology, regulation and function in ethanol-induced liver injury Curr Mol Med 3 IssueID6 509–518 Occurrence Handle14527082 Occurrence Handle10.2174/1566524033479609 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXnslyrurc%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • KT Knecht Y Adachi BU Bradford Y Iimuro M Kadiiska QH Xuang RG Thurman (1995) ArticleTitleFree radical adducts in the bile of rats treated chronically with intragastric alcohol: inhibition by destruction of Kupffer cells Mol Pharmacol 47 IssueID5 1028–1034 Occurrence Handle7746269 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXls12ktbo%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AV Kozlov A Bini D Gallesi F Giovannini A Iannone A Masini E Meletti A Tomasi (1996) ArticleTitle‘Free’ iron, as detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, increases unequally in different tissues during dietary iron overload in the rat Biometals 9 IssueID1 98–103 Occurrence Handle8574097 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00188097 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xnt1yisw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AV Kozlov OM Panasenko DY Yegorov TV Vol’nova Y Vladimirov OA Azizova (1991) ArticleTitleAntioxidant properties of albumin during the oxidation of linolenic acid and low density lipoproteins in the presence of ferrous ions Biomed Sci 2 IssueID5 530–535 Occurrence Handle1668646 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XlvVyqsLc%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AV Kozlov DY Yegorov YA Vladimirov OA Azizova (1992) ArticleTitleIntracellular free iron in liver tissue and liver homogenate: studies with electron paramagnetic resonance on the formation of paramagnetic complexes with desferal and nitric oxide Free Radic Biol Med 13 IssueID1 9–16 Occurrence Handle1321074 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0891-5849(92)90159-E Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38XlsVOlu70%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DH Lee DR Jacobs SuffixJr (2004) ArticleTitleSerum markers of stored body iron are not appropriate markers of health effects of iron: a focus on serum ferritin Med Hypotheses 62 IssueID3 442–445 Occurrence Handle14975519 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0306-9877(03)00344-X Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXht1Khsb4%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JP Lu K Hayashi M Awai (1989) ArticleTitleTransferrin receptor expression in normal, iron-deficient and iron-overloaded rats Acta Pathol Jpn 39 IssueID12 759–764 Occurrence Handle2624102 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXktl2hsbk%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SH Mehta RC Webb A Ergul A Tawak AM Dorrance (2004) ArticleTitleNeuroprotection by tempol in a model of iron-induced oxidative stress in acute ischemic stroke Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 286 IssueID2 R283–R288 Occurrence Handle14592931 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXhsFKrurc%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M Mihara M Uchiyama K Fukuzawa (1980) ArticleTitleThiobarbituric acid value on fresh homogenate of rat as a parameter of lipid peroxidation in aging, CCl4 intoxication, and vitamin E deficiency Biochem Med 23 IssueID3 302–311 Occurrence Handle7417237 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0006-2944(80)90040-X Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXltFajs7w%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G Minotti AF Cavaliere A Mordente M Rossi R Schiavello R Zamparelli G Possati (1995) ArticleTitleSecondary alcohol metabolites mediate iron delocalization in cytosolic fractions of myocardial biopsies exposed to anticancer anthracyclines Novel linkage between anthracycline metabolism and iron-induced cardiotoxicity J Clin Invest 95 IssueID4 1595–1605 Occurrence Handle7706466 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXkslyktrk%3D Occurrence Handle10.1172/JCI117833

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EH Morgan (1981) ArticleTitleInhibition of reticulocyte iron uptake by NH4Cl and CH3NH2 Biochim Biophys Acta 642 IssueID1 119–134 Occurrence Handle7225374 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3MXhtleit7w%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ET Obi-Tabot LM Hanrahan R Cachecho ER Beer SR Hopkins JC Chan JM Shapiro WW LaMorte (1993) ArticleTitleChanges in hepatocyte NADH fluorescence during prolonged hypoxia J Surg Res 55 IssueID6 575–580 Occurrence Handle8246489 Occurrence Handle10.1006/jsre.1993.1187 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXis1Oht7k%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S Paterson EH Morgan (1980) ArticleTitleEffect of changes in the ionic environment of reticulocytes on the uptake of transferrin-bound iron J Cell Physiol 105 IssueID3 489–502 Occurrence Handle7462336 Occurrence Handle10.1002/jcp.1041050313 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3MXmt1Grtw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A Pietrangelo (2003) ArticleTitleIron-induced oxidant stress in alcoholic liver fibrogenesis Alcohol 30 IssueID2 121–129 Occurrence Handle12957296 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0741-8329(03)00126-5 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXmvVygsbo%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A Pietrangelo F Borella G Casalgrandi G Montosi D Ceccarelli D Gallesi F Giovannini A Gasparetto A Masini (1995) ArticleTitleAntioxidant activity of silybin in vivo during long-term iron overload in rats Gastroenterology 109 IssueID6 1941–1949 Occurrence Handle7498660 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0016-5085(95)90762-9 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XlvFaltw%3D%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S Pucheu C Coudray N Tresallet A Favier LJ de (1993) ArticleTitleEffect of iron overload in the isolated ischemic and reperfused rat heart Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 7 IssueID4 701–711 Occurrence Handle8241014 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00877824 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD2MbotFc%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DN Rao MX Yang JM Lasker AI Cederbaum (1996) ArticleTitle1-Hydroxyethyl radical formation during NADPH- and NADH-dependent oxidation of ethanol by human liver microsomes Mol Pharmacol 49 IssueID5 814–821 Occurrence Handle8622631 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymB3M3psVc%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • LA Reinke Y Kotake PB McCay EG Janzen (1991) ArticleTitleSpin-trapping studies of hepatic free radicals formed following the acute administration of ethanol to rats: in vivo detection of 1-hydroxyethyl radicals with PBN Free Radic Biol Med 11 IssueID1 31–39 Occurrence Handle1657733 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0891-5849(91)90185-6 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXmsFSitrs%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DR Richardson AC Chua E Baker (1999) ArticleTitleActivation of an iron uptake mechanism from transferrin in hepatocytes by small-molecular-weight iron complexes: implications for the pathogenesis of iron-overload disease J Lab Clin Med 133 IssueID2 144–151 Occurrence Handle9989766 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0022-2143(99)90007-0 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXhsFSjsrg%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DR Richardson P Ponka (1998) ArticleTitleDevelopment of iron chelators to treat iron overload disease and their use as experimental tools to probe intracellular iron metabolism Am J Hematol 58 IssueID4 299–305 Occurrence Handle9692394 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1096-8652(199808)58:4<299::AID-AJH9>3.0.CO;2-L Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXlsVKlsro%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B Scheiber H Goldenberg (1993) ArticleTitleNAD(P)H: ferric iron reductase in endosomal membranes from rat liver Arch Biochem Biophys 305 IssueID2 225–230 Occurrence Handle8396885 Occurrence Handle10.1006/abbi.1993.1415 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXmsVKgu70%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P Stal I Johansson M Ingelman-Sundberg K Hagen R Hultcrantz (1996) ArticleTitleHepatotoxicity induced by iron overload and alcohol. Studies on the role of chelatable iron, cytochrome P450 2E1 and lipid peroxidation J Hepatol 25 IssueID4 538–546 Occurrence Handle8912154 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiD28fps1I%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O Strubelt M Deters R Pentz CP Siegers M Younes (1999) ArticleTitleThe toxic and metabolic effects of 23 aliphatic alcohols in the isolated perfused rat liver Toxicol Sci 49 IssueID1 133–142 Occurrence Handle10367351 Occurrence Handle10.1093/toxsci/49.1.133 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXjvVakurs%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AY Sun A Simonyi GY Sun (2002) ArticleTitleThe “French Paradox" and beyond: neuroprotective effects of polyphenols Free Radic Biol Med 32 IssueID4 314–318 Occurrence Handle11841921 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0891-5849(01)00803-6 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XhtF2jt7o%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MS Thorniley N Lane S Simpkin B Fuller MZ Jenabzadeh CJ Green (1996) ArticleTitleMonitoring of mitochondrial NADH levels by surface fluorimetry as an indication of ischaemia during hepatic and renal transplantation Adv Exp Med Biol 388 431–444 Occurrence Handle8798844 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XlvFyjuro%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K Thorstensen I Romslo (1990) ArticleTitleThe role of transferrin in the mechanism of cellular iron uptake Biochem J 271 IssueID1 1–9 Occurrence Handle2222403 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXlvVymu7o%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R Topham M Goger K Pearce P Schultz (1989) ArticleTitleThe mobilization of ferritin iron by liver cytosol A comparison of xanthine and NADH as reducing substrates Biochem J 261 IssueID1 137–143 Occurrence Handle2775199 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXkvFaksbw%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T Turoczi L Jun G Cordis JE Morris N Maulik RG Stevens DK Das (2003) ArticleTitleHFE mutation and dietary iron content interact to increase ischemia/reperfusion injury of the heart in mice Circ Res 92 IssueID11 1240–1246 Occurrence Handle12750309 Occurrence Handle10.1161/01.RES.0000076890.59807.23 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXkt12qtLs%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AF Vanin AG Chetverikov (1968) ArticleTitleParamagnetic nitrosyl complexes of heme and nonheme iron Biofizika 13 IssueID4 608–615 Occurrence Handle4318234 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaF1cXltVeitrw%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • JM Wisniewska-Knypl T Wronska-Nofer (1994) ArticleTitleBiological markers of oxidative stress induced by ethanol and iron overload in rat Int J Occup Med Environ Health 7 IssueID4 355–363 Occurrence Handle7719662 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqB3srpslw%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ZL Wu MS Paller (1994) ArticleTitleIron loading enhances susceptibility to renal ischemia in rats Ren Fail 16 IssueID4 471–480 Occurrence Handle7938755 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqD38vpsVw%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SP Young P Aisen (1981) ArticleTitleTransferrin receptors and the uptake and release of iron by isolated hepatocytes Hepatology 1 IssueID2 114–119 Occurrence Handle6269977 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi2D38bgslE%3D

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrey V. Kozlov.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sergent, O., Tomasi, A., Ceccarelli, D. et al. Combination of Iron Overload Plus Ethanol and Ischemia Alone Give Rise to the Same Endogenous Free Iron Pool. Biometals 18, 567–575 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-005-8488-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-005-8488-7

Key words

Navigation